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May 1, 2014 – Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) announced today the expansion of its Co-Pay Relief (CPR) program with the opening of the first ever Non Small Cell Lung Cancers, Molecular Biomarker Specific disease silo. Supported through a generous corporate donation, this CPR program silo provides direct financial support of pharmaceutical co-payments for insured patients who are unable to afford their costs associated with treatment and personalized therapy specified by molecular biomarker testing. “There are no other programs like this currently in the country that help patients address the high financial burdens of a treatment regiment targeting the specific molecular makeup of the disease.” said Fran Castellow, MSEd., President of Operations for PAF and the Co-Pay Relief program. “For patients experiencing financial distress with the high costs of biomarker testing and personalized treatment regiments, this program could not have launched at a better time.”

The CPR program provides qualified applicants with up to $7500 per year in grants towards the pharmaceutical treatments and therapies associated with their diagnosis of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with an identified genetic mutation or alteration identified by molecular biomarkers. At this time, the FDA has approved therapies for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 substitutions NSCLC tumors and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive NSCLC tumors. Targeted therapies are designed to act on the tumor and cause little to no damage to normal tissue.

“So many patients tell us that they were not able to access the medication their doctor prescribed if it had not been for the financial assistance offered through the Co-Pay relief program. With the launch of this program, we are reducing the financial barriers and helping patients connect with personalized treatment they need to fight their disease. “ stated Alan Balch, PhD, CEO of Patient Advocate Foundation. “The world of cancer research continues to evolve and move toward a personalized approach to treatment, and by opening this fund, our CPR program is on the forefront of patient-centric assistance.”

The NSCLC, Molecular Biomarker Specific silo is the first copayment assistance program in the country that is dedicated to addressing the high out-of-pocket costs for insured patients associated with personalized treatments. To be eligible for support, patients must have an income of 400% or below the Federal Poverty limit and must be diagnosed with a NSCLC with an identified molecular biomarker for which there are FDA approved therapies. To learn more or begin an application, patients can visit http://www.copays.org/non-small-lung-cancers-with-biomarkers.

About Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, Molecular Biomarker Specific Disease Silo:
The Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with Molecular Biomarkers is a disease fund within the Co-Pay Relief Program that provides co-payment support for patients who are diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and have an identified genetic mutation or alteration for which there are FDA approved therapies. At this time, the FDA has approved therapies for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 substitutions NSCLC tumors and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive NSCLC tumors. As the FDA approves additional therapies targeting new NSCLC tumor types the Co-Pay Relief Program will add these treatments to the disease silo. Patients must meet financial guidelines to be eligible for assistance.